Mexican plastics firms report little damage from hurricane

By: Stephen Downer

September 17, 2013

MEXICO CITY – A hurricane and tropical storm that buffeted Mexico’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts simultaneously over the weekend, killing dozens, appear to have caused little material damage to the country’s plastics and petrochemicals industries.

However, with many roads and bridges washed away by some of the worst flooding seen in the country and hundreds of thousands left homeless, manufacturers of plastics goods are bound to face logistical problems in the weeks ahead, observers believe.

The most serious damage was inflicted in the states of Veracruz, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Oaxaca, Puebla and Hidalgo, national emergency services coordinator Luis Felipe Puente said.

Mexichem Resinas Vinílicas SA de CV, Polioles SA de CV and Sabic Innovative Plastics México S de R de CV are three companies with operations in the Gulf port of Altamira’s industrial park in Tamaulipas. But all apparently emerged unscathed.

The Pacific resort of Acapulco on the Pacific coast, which was battered by tropical storm Manuel, was among the most affected communities. Mudslides were still blocking the main Acapulco-Mexico City in both directions Monday afternoon.

The terminal floor of Acapulco’s international was under several feet of water, causing the cancellation of all commercial flights and triggering an emergency federal government airlift for stranded tourists.